Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
If you have a sweet tooth and crave that perfect balance of softness and chewiness in every bite, then this Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe is going to become your new best friend. These cookies are delightfully tender with just the right amount of chew, making them the ultimate comfort treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just treating yourself, these cookies deliver classic, buttery sweetness with a sparkling sugar-crisp outside that is purely irresistible.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple ingredients is your first step toward baking a batch of truly excellent sugar cookies. Each element plays an important role—from the butter that brings richness, to the vanilla extract that adds a warm aroma, and the baking soda and powder which work together to create that perfectly soft and chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Provides creamy richness and moisture for tender cookies.
- Granulated sugar (1 1/2 cups): Sweetens the dough and creates the signature crisp edges when creamed with butter.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients and adds lift for a soft, chewy crumb.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Deepens flavor with a warm, fragrant note.
- All-purpose flour (2 3/4 cups): Forms the base structure for the cookies.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Helps provide lightness and rise.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Reacts with acids to aid in browning and texture.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Additional granulated sugar (1/4 cup, for rolling): Creates a delightful sugary crust when cookies bake.
How to Make Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is hot and ready for the cookies to bake evenly. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help with easy cleanup.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential for incorporating air that gives your cookies their tender texture.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Beat the egg and vanilla extract into the buttery mixture until fully incorporated. This adds moisture and flavor, bonding the dough ingredients into a smooth, consistent batter.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed to prevent uneven rising or spots of saltiness.
Step 5: Mix Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Take care not to overmix here, as too much stirring can develop gluten and make the cookies tough instead of soft and chewy.
Step 6: Prepare Dough Balls
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, form dough into balls. Roll each dough ball generously in the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, which will add a gorgeous sparkle and a crunchy outer layer to your cookies.
Step 7: Shape and Bake
Place the sugared dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Gently flatten each ball slightly to encourage even baking. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until the edges turn a soft golden brown but the centers remain just a touch underbaked. This guarantees that wonderful chewy center you’re after.
Step 8: Cool
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting time lets them set and finish baking gently on the warm pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This final cooling step helps maintain that perfect soft and chewy consistency.
How to Serve Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these sugar cookies are delightful on their own, a sprinkle of colored sugar or edible glitter before baking can add a festive touch. If you want to dress them up, a simple drizzle of melted white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar makes for a pretty presentation and extra sweetness.
Side Dishes
A tall glass of cold milk is a classic companion, pairing beautifully with the buttery richness of these sugar cookies. You could also serve them alongside a cup of tea or coffee for a cozy afternoon treat that feels like a warm hug.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift-giving, stack these cookies in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon or arrange them on a decorative platter. You can even sandwich two cookies together with a dollop of frosting or jam in the middle to create an indulgent cookie sandwich that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh for up to one week. Layering them between sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and helps maintain their perfect texture.
Freezing
You can freeze both baked cookies and dough balls. To freeze dough, shape and sugar-coat the balls, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh the softness of your stored cookies, warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes or microwave individually for 10 to 15 seconds. This quickly revives their tempting softness and chewiness.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but reduce or omit any additional salt in the recipe. Using unsalted butter allows you full control over the salt level, which helps balance the sweetness perfectly.
Why are my sugar cookies hard instead of soft and chewy?
Overbaking is usually the culprit. Bake until edges just begin to brown and centers still look slightly underdone. Also, don’t overmix the dough, which can develop gluten and result in toughness.
Can I add flavors or mix-ins to this recipe?
Absolutely! Try adding lemon zest, almond extract, or mini chocolate chips for variation. Just be sure any added ingredients don’t alter the dough consistency too much.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Make sure your butter is softened but not melted. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking can also help control spreading for thicker cookies.
What’s the best way to make sure cookies are evenly sized?
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to portion out dough ensures uniform size and even baking, so all cookies finish at the same time with consistent texture.
Final Thoughts
This Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe is a timeless classic that never fails to delight. Whether it’s your first time baking them or you’re a seasoned cookie pro, these treats promise to deliver that perfect tender bite every single time. Warm, buttery, and bursting with vanilla sweetness, they’re sure to become a beloved favorite in your baking rotation. So preheat that oven and get ready to make some magic happen—you won’t regret it!
Print
Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat characterized by a tender crumb and a slightly crisp edge. Perfect for cookie lovers, they are easy to prepare with simple ingredients and come out perfectly baked every time. Rolled in granulated sugar for an extra sweet crunch, these cookies offer a classic, nostalgic flavor that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Rolling
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until fully incorporated, making sure the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and soft.
- Prepare Dough Balls: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion out the dough, then roll each ball in the 1/4 cup granulated sugar to coat them evenly for a sweet, crunchy exterior.
- Shape and Bake: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden while the centers remain slightly underbaked to maintain chewiness.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened (not melted) for proper creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to maintain cookie tenderness.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; watch closely to avoid overbaking.
- Flattening the dough balls slightly helps cookies spread evenly and bake uniformly.
- Cookies will seem soft when removed from the oven but will firm up as they cool.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
